Allen W. Wood presents the first book-length systematic exposition in English of Fichte's most important ethical work, the System of Ethics (1798). He develops and emphasizes the social and political radicalism of Fichte's moral and political philosophy, and illuminates the philosophical interest of Fichte's arguments for present day philosophy. This book is well-researched, well-argued, clearly-written, and full of richly suggestive ideas; it is just as rigorous an exercise in the history of philosophy as it is in substantive philosophical argumentation . . . it is a truly excellent book on Fichte.